Notes on Edward de Bono's ToLoPOSoGo, the random word and SCAMPER

ToLoPoSoGo The advantage of this tool is that it contents a space for action. Too many times, people come up with ideas and then nothing happens. Daily life intervenes, managers get busy putting out fires, and no one is left in charge of implementing the new idea. ToLoPoSoGo is one framework, created by Edward de Bono, that allows people to move on the ideas that they create.To – This is the section that adds structure – To where are we going? What is our aim? This stage should end with a clear idea and a clear statement of what needs to be accomplished or what needs to be thought about.Lo – Lo and Behold! This is the stage where assumptions are laid bare. Explore what you know, what you think you know and what you need to know.Po – Like the PO of the provocation and movement, this is the idea generation point. Think of the Possibilities. Think of Poetry. Make some statements that include supPose.So – Look at your ideas and ask “So what?” and then “What now?” Make a decision and…Go – Even if the decision is to do nothing, you will still need a plan of action. Moving forward may take some effort, but it will be worth it.

Random Word The random word tool can help provide a jumping off point for creativity. You know what your focus is. Find a random word generator and use the word to help you come up with ideas. For example, if your focus is “cleaning up traffic” and your random word is “Quad,” you might think about how recreational quads can help create less traffic, or how the quad on campus could be used to create a place for students to stay so they don’t have to drive, or how wheels could be made in square shapes and traffic would come to a grinding halt. Need a random word? Try one of these: Turkey, Stonehenge, Pizza, Grates, Jungle Gym, Frogger…SCAMPER You never want to run from a problem, but SCAMPERING could help. The first thing you need to do is find out your assumptions or things that you take for granted, and then apply a SCAMPER principle.Substitute – what happens if you substitute something for the object?Combine – what happens if you combine two things?Adapt – what can you adapt the item to?Modify – Can it be modified?Put to other use – What other things could the object be used for?Eliminate – What if you eliminate something?Reverse or rearrange – What if you reverse or rearrange something?